93 year old Aberystwyth man reunited with his locomotive

93 year old railway worker John ‘Abergynolwyn’ Davies has been reunited with his old locomotive at the Vale of Rheidol Railway in Aberystwyth.

John began his railway career at Aberystwyth in 1952, where he often worked on ‘Dukedog’ locomotives. The last Dukedog left Wales in May 1960, and all but one were scrapped.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway has recently brought the only surviving Dukedog back to Aberystwyth, as one of the star exhibits of its new museum building. “It’s such a joy to see the locomotive back here in Aberystwyth” said John. “I used to work on this engine, right here in this very building: I suddenly feel twenty years old again!”.

The museum building is in the 1938-built engine shed, where John began his railway career in the 1950s.

The Dukedog locomotive is on loan from the Bluebell Railway in Sussex. Earlier this week, the engine and tender were brought on a two day road-convoy across Wales to bring it to public display in Aberystwyth.

The locomotive becomes the centrepiece of the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s new museum building, which opens to the public on 23rd March 2024. The loco will remain on display in the town for the next two years.

John’s daughter Heather was present to witness the emotional moment when John was reunited with his old locomotive. “It is wonderful to see the excitement in his eyes” she said, as she watched John examining his old locomotive. “He is so pleased to see it again, and to share it with others”.

The visit was organised by staff at the Vale of Rheidol Railway. “It is a pleasure to be able to facilitate visits like this” said Phil Budd, Events Manager at the railway. “It really demonstrates the human story behind the collection in our museum, as well as the links to our local community here in Aberystwyth. We are very grateful to the Bluebell Railway in loaning the Dukedog to us, and allowing us to exhibit in on its return to West Wales”.

The museum opens to the public on March 23rd 2024, when the railway reopens for the new season. It will then be open daily until November 3rd 2024.